A former Riverside County sheriff’s deputy was sentenced to serve a yr in jail for killing his girlfriend’s former companion whereas on responsibility.
A jury convicted Oscar Rodriguez, 43, of voluntary manslaughter in June.
Initially, regulation enforcement authorities stated Rodriguez was justified when he shot 39-year-old Luis Morin. Rodriguez stated he was serving a warrant for an excellent felony when he received right into a battle with Morin and shot him within the chest.
However a civil lawsuit revealed that on the time of the capturing, Rodriguez was courting Diana Perez, who had two kids with Morin. Prosecutors say Rodriguez met Perez whereas working as a deputy; he responded to a number of 911 calls she made about Morin threatening to kill her.
On Tuesday, Riverside County Superior Court docket Decide Otis Sterling III sentenced Rodriguez to a one-year jail time period and 10 years of probation. The district legal professional’s workplace objected to the courtroom’s resolution and advisable a 10-year sentence.
“This sentence minimizes the gravity of Rodriguez’s actions and the devastating affect on Mr. Morin’s household, whereas additionally disregarding the numerous effort the jury dedicated to reaching a simply verdict,” Chief Deputy Dist. Legal professional Jennifer Garcia stated in an announcement. “We firmly consider a stronger sentence was warranted to replicate the seriousness of this crime and to carry the defendant totally accountable.”
Prosecutors stated Perez met Rodriguez round 2012 and that the 2 have been romantically concerned by January 2014 when he shot Morin. Rodriguez was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation into the capturing.
Morin’s household filed a federal civil swimsuit in 2014 and revealed that Perez and Morin had two kids collectively and he or she was courting Rodriguez.
Prosecutors charged Rodriguez in 2017, in line with courtroom data.
In accordance with the lawsuit, Rodriguez hid behind some bushes exterior Morin’s residence in Indio on the evening of the capturing. Morin and his mom had simply returned residence after attending a party. Rodriguez ambushed Morin as he was strolling to the entrance door and his mom, Maria Gomez, was parking her automotive. Rodriguez kicked Morin within the knees and the 2 wrestled on the bottom.
It was darkish exterior, in line with the lawsuit, and Rodriguez didn’t establish himself as an officer. Prosecutors stated that Rodriguez didn’t report back to the Sheriff’s Division that he was serving a search warrant at Morin’s residence.
He was alone when he ambushed Morin, in line with the criticism, after which pulled out his gun.
Gomez yelled, “Don’t damage him!” as Rodriguez pointed the gun at her, courtroom paperwork stated.
Morin tried to interrupt free, and Rodriguez shot him at the very least as soon as within the higher a part of his physique.
Morin then requested, “Why did you shoot me?”
The household argued that Rodriguez delayed calling for medical care and pointed his gun at members of the family and neighbors who approached the scene. Morin bled to dying exterior his residence.
Prosecutors stated that Perez informed Rodriguez the place to seek out Morin on the evening of the capturing. Rodriguez resigned from the Sheriff’s Division in March 2016, and Riverside settled the civil swimsuit for $6.95 million.
Each Rodriguez and Perez have been charged in reference to Morin’s killing. However this yr, the Riverside County district legal professional’s workplace dropped its cost towards Perez of accent to homicide “within the curiosity of justice,” in line with a spokesperson for the workplace.
Rodriguez was sentenced to at least one yr in jail and credited 194 days for time already served.
Legal professional Brett Greenfield, who represented Morin’s household within the civil lawsuit, stated he was not shocked by the jury’s verdict to convict Rodriguez.
The proof within the case confirmed that “this Riverside County sheriff’s deputy engaged in reckless and illegal conduct,” Greenfield stated in an emailed assertion.
“The conviction confirms what we proved then, however the sentencing was not commensurate with the malicious conduct of this deputy and displays the broader angle of Riverside County and the Riverside County sheriff towards accountability,” Greenfield stated. “The group and the justice system should not tolerate abuses of energy, and my hope is that this consequence will drive actual change inside the Riverside County Sheriff’s Division.”
In an announcement from Riverside County Superior Court docket, a spokesperson stated, “As a result of this matter stays pending earlier than the Court docket, it could be a violation of the California Code of Judicial Ethics for the Court docket or its judges to remark.”
